Press

The Abstract Mandalas of UNLV Alumnus James Stanford Demand Close Inspection. A New Art Book Collects His Works.

Rather than seeing Las Vegas as culturally vacant, James Stanford looks around him and sees artistic opportunity.

One of the UNLV alumnus’ endeavors involves taking photographs of many of Las Vegas’ iconic neon signs and architecture and using them as the basis of new works of art.

After years of photographing such images, Stanford began using his graphic arts skills to turn those photographs into mandalas, which he describes as visual works of art that take you into higher consciousness.

He describes his work as “complex and meditative.”

He said he “opens his mind to meditation and asks the universe, ‘What is going on here?’ (The answer) seems to be revealed through my work.” > Read More

It has been described as the intersection of Las Vegas and Buddhism. The digital images are intricate, detail-dense, neatly symmetrical, abstract, mandala-like. Most often they’re layers of details cropped from historic photos of Vegas signage and architecture.

Stanford uses the iconic vintage signage of Las Vegas, where he spent his childhood at a time when the town was small and provincial, without access to global culture. His layered images reflect a mirrored geometry that unravels and then recomposes. > Read More

Britney Spears made her solo debut, David Bowie his final public appearance and this year, David Tupazshowed his designs at Fashion Week at the Manhattan Center, an ornate, venue whose majestic, hand-painted ceiling provides a firmament for artists and patrons. A stage for opera, and later, vaudeville, the venue has continued with a range of music groups, not to mention the fashion show where Tupaz let loose with a parade of fashion gems. Inspired by Jim Stanford’s digital montage, Shimmering Zen, the designer transformed the modern and mystical mandalas into sensual, spiritual and wearable art. Like Indra’s Jewels, the Manhattan Center’s ceiling floated above the glowing models in David’s creations, soon to be viewed in Las Vegas and Palm Springs. We caught up with the designer in between shows. > Read More